Queen Margrethe sends condolences following Danish train crash

The Queen of Denmark has sent her condolences to those affected by the train crash outside Copenhagen yesterday morning in which six people died, and another sixteen were injured. Margrethe II offered her sympathies as the rescue operation following the incident continued.

In her statement, Queen Margrethe said that ‘’this morning’s terrible train accident..touches me deeply’’ and added ‘’my thoughts and deepest sympathy go to both the bereaved and their families and to the injured.’’

The crash happened in stormy weather on the Great Belt Bridge which runs between the islands of Zealand and Funen. Around 7.35am local time, a commuter train going between Odense and Copenhagen was hit by something from a passing freight train and came to an emergency stop on the bridge. Some of those on board later told Danish media they had been showered with breaking glass as the carriages shuddered to a halt.

There were 131 people on board the commuter service as well as three staff. Emergency services struggled to reach the trains because of the weather. However, all those on board the train have now been brought to safety, and the injured are being treated. Authorities say that all those hurt in the accident are now out of danger.

Denmark’s Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, also issued a statement in which he said ‘’ordinary Danes…have had their lives broken’’. He offered his condolences to those affected and added ‘’I would like to thank the authorities for their great efforts’’. Sweden’s Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven, also sent his sympathies and confirmed in a statement on Twitter that he had spoken to his Danish counterpart about the accident.

The royal statement on the accident was released via the official website and social media accounts. The Queen of Denmark is next due to appear in public on January 3rd 2019.